Ex Hammers Set For A Return To West Ham?

The question I most often ask my football buddies is what former West Ham players they’d love to see return for another round of playing for us. Now that the transfer mill is up and churning out some real winners, I’m wondering whether or not any of my former favorites will be chasing a return to East London this summer.

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It’s fun to answer this question in regards to West Ham, as we’ve actually got a decent chance of the players coming back. In recent years messers McCartney, Collins, (Joe) Cole, and, briefly, Benayoun, have all returned for a second stint in claret and blue after departing the club. There have even been murmurs of Rio Ferdinand seeing out his last few years of football at the club (something I would love to see.)

With that in mind, here are 3 players who have left recently that I would love to see come back to Upton Park: Carlos Tevez, Scott Parker and – controversial, I know – Craig Bellamy.

Carlos Tevez needs no explanation. The man is a brilliant player, who scored 16 goals for Man City this past season, and has always made it clear that he still feels fondly towards West Ham; he crosses his arms over his chest at Upton Park, and still refuses to celebrate scoring against us (a gesture I greatly appreciate.) Imagine him playing up front with Carroll- deadly.

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But will he come back?

No, if he does I could see it being to see out the end of his career, but not any time soon. There’s too much money at Manchester City. Having said that, they are reportedly stalling on his new contract, so watch this space.

 

Scotty Parker is a more recent departure I’d take back in a second. His incredible hard work ethic was greatly appreciated, as were his graceful, black swan-esque turns on the ball, and general consistent midfield skill and talent.

But will he spin his way back into our hearts?

Well, it might not be a bad idea. Parker left Upton Park as he wanted Premier League football, which we are now comfortably playing. During his time at West Ham he scored 12 goals; he’s scored zero at Spurs and, although injured, hasn’t contributed as strongly as he did in his first season. Whispers are starting to surface that he may be out of favour at Spurs, and may head off to QPR- and who in their right mind would want to go off there, eh Rob Green?

And what of Craig Bellamy? The man is such a mouthy little so and so, but lethal up front. He helped Cardiff City win promotion, but didn’t have very high goals per games ratio in his most recent season.

But will he be getting carded for dissent while playing for us next season?

Nah. Although Bellamy has said (in 2011) that the happiest time in his career was when he played for us, and we reportedly tried to get him back on loan in 2010, he has since done well for Cardiff. He’ll want to carry on with them in the Premier League.

There’s also, of course, another side to the comeback question. As much as I’d like any of the above players back, there’s also a few people, who, if they ever stepped foot on the pitch again in claret and blue I would burn my season ticket before you could say ‘pretty bubbles in the air;’ particularly Jermaine Defoe, Nigel Mediocore, and of course, the big ‘un – literally – Frank Lampard.

But those three aside, a lot of excellent players have graced our hallowed turf and left on remarkably good terms, and I’d love to see them play with our current manager. To see how much Sam Allardyce has gotten from our players that previous managers were unable to get out of them (Winston Reid when Grant was managing, I’m looking at you) makes me think that a lot of previous ‘good’ players could be great players whilst working under Big Sam, and I’d love to get them back again.

Plus, if James Collins is anything to go by, a second chance at claret and blue can be a very good thing indeed.

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